Paramedic Program at Cowley College

Thank you for your interest in our Paramedic program. Since
the 1950's, the need for quality pre-hospital care of the critically
ill and injured has been recognized and a standardized level of care
has been developed through the Department of Transportation. At the basic
level, the Emergency Medical Technician provides stabilization, basic
life support and safe transportation of the trauma victim or the medically
ill patient to a medical facility. In addition to those basic functions,
the Paramedic provides advanced cardiac and trauma life support. For
a description of the profession, click here.

Our Paramedic program is designed and organized to provide the highest quality education for students who wish to gain the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes which lead toward employment as an Paramedic. Education and training received in this program will prepare the properly motivated student to provide highly skilled advanced life support in the pre-hospital or other health care settings. This affords the individual an opportunity to have a true impact on reducing morbidity and mortality.

Demand for Paramedics continues to grow. Because of this, Cowley College is proud to offer what we feel is a first class Paramedic program. Successful completion of the Cowley program can be an excellent entree into one of the most dynamic and fastest growing careers of our time. Our graduates are highly prized by employers and can be found working in many different states in the U.S.

While taking advantage of Cowley's professional training, you'll be getting a top quality education.

Cowley's Paramedic program staff is comprised of exceptionally competent teachers with vast field experience who share their first hand knowledge and experience with you. You'll find Cowley instructors are not only gifted teachers, but just as important, they care about your success. Cowley also has numerous nurses, respiratory therapists, physician assistants and physicians who function as adjunct faculty members for the EMS department. We have an incredible advisory committee comprised of individuals who are concerned about healthcare and student success. We also appoint a current Paramedic student each year and have appointed a past Paramedic graduates to this committee. We also have excellent state-of-the-art training equipment and an excellent facility. We added the McDermott Wing in 2001 that brought an additional 1800 square feet of laboratory training space and a clinic office in 2005 -- each truly help us prepare field-ready Paramedics. We provide our MICT training at the Cowley College Allied Health Education Center in Winfield and the Butler Community College in Andover. We also offer an online/hybrid program in partnership with Neosho County Community College and Flint Hills Technical College.

We are proud of our success and quality in education. Ask others about our program. If you're ready for the Paramedic challenge, Cowley is the place for you.Program Description
The Kansas Board of EMS, who regulates EMS education in Kansas, requires all Paramedic graduates, at a minimum, be conferred an Associate of Applied Science degree (AAS) upon program completion. Therefore, it is essential that the Paramedic student complete most, if not all of the AAS general education requirements before entering the Paramedic classes. To take the National Registry examination, all Kansas Paramedic students must successfully complete an Paramedic program and be conferred an AAS degree. These AAS requirements can be found here. Potential students should review the AAS requirements found in the college catalog and are strongly encouraged to contact the EMS division faculty (regardless of assigned Cowley advisor) whenever questions arise. We will be happy to help you with any of your concerns or questions.

The faculty must follow the regulations, curriculum and guidelines established by the United States Department of Transportation and the Kansas Board of EMS. Our local EMS advisory committee added other pertinent objectives into the curriculum which are unique to Cowley. Cowley is accredited by the Commission on Accreditation of Allied Health Education Programs (www.caahep.org) upon the recommendation of the Committee on Accreditation of Educational Programs for the Emergency Medical Services Professions (CoAEMSP).

Class Schedule

As previously mentioned, students should try to complete all the required prerequisite classes before entering the Paramedic classes. Classes from these many disciplines will make the Paramedic better-rounded, improve critical thinking abilities and should enhance career mobility. When ready to consider entry into the Paramedic classes, students have two options: 12 or 14 month classes.

The successful Paramedic candidate will earn 54 credit hours (opportunities for an additional 5 credit hours will also be provided to the student) during the program. Our program begins with an intensive didactic section and progresses through hospital clinicals and internships at EMS organizations. The program is fast paced and exciting. The size of the class will be limited to 18 students or less. Because of the fast paced and specific curriculum at Cowley, we do not accept Paramedic transfer students (who wish to finish their class here), offer EMS credit for experiential learning or have advanced placement within our program. Students must finish their Paramedic education with the class they start.

12 Month Classes

A 12 month program cohort starts every January. Most Paramedics describe their education as the most intense and satisfying educational experience of their lives -- Cowley intends to champion this belief. During the didactic sessions of the Paramedic program, students should expect to meet 3 times a week during the spring semester. Classes will be held on Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM. On very rare occasions, classes may be held on Saturdays. Hospital clinicals will occur during the summer while the field internship will be conducted during the fall. The last two weeks of class will be spent in the classroom preparing for the National Registry examination.

14 Month Classes

There are two versions of the 14 month program offered:

The evening program offered at the the Butler Community College Andover campus through a partnership with Butler Community College. This program meets 2 evenings per week for the first 8 months of the program. Clinical and field training mirrors the 12 month program.

The online/hybrid program offered in partnership with Neosho County Community College and Flint Hills Technical College. This program meets 2 evenings per week for the first 8 months of the program utilizing our online program classroom. Skills and simulation training is done approximately 2 times each month at the Winfield Campus. Clinical and field training mirrors the 12 month program.

The last three weeks of the class will be spent in the classroom preparing for the National Registry examination. The 14 month program begins each June, with the program cohort alternating each year between the Andover and Online programs.

PLEASE NOTE: ALL PROGRAM COHORTS WILL COMPLETE SOME SIMULATION TRAINING AT THE WINFIELD CAMPUS.

When applying to the Paramedic program, you will be asked to denote your schedule preference and if the other schedule could work for you if needed. If students are unsure about the schedule selection, they should contact the program director.

Cognitive

At the completion of the program, the graduate of the Cowley Paramedic Program will demonstrate the ability to comprehend, apply, and evaluate the clinical information relative to his or her role as an entry level Paramedic in the United States.

Psychomotor

At the completion of the program, the graduate of the Cowley Paramedic Program will demonstrate technical proficiency in all skills necessary to fulfill the role as an entry level Paramedic in the United States.

Affective

At the completion of the program, the graduate of the Cowley Paramedic Program will demonstrate personal behaviors consistent with professional and employer expectations for the entry level Paramedic in the United States.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

For information from the college about grants, loans, scholarships or work-study opportunities, stop by or contact our excellent staff. We also have specific scholarships for Paramedic students. Information can be found here or by contacting the program director.

Paramedic Functional Job Analysis Technical Qualifications

Aptitudes required for work of this nature are good physical stamina, endurance, and body condition that would not be adversely affected by frequently having to walk, stand, lift, carry, and balance at times, in excess of 125 pounds. Motor coordination is necessary because over uneven terrain, the patient's, the Paramedic's, and other workers' well being must not be jeopardized.

Must be at least 18 years of age and be a high school graduate or equivalent. Must have proof of valid driver's license. Ability to communicate verbally; via telephone and radio equipment; ability to lift, carry, and balance up to 125 pounds (250 pounds with assistance); ability to interpret and respond to written, oral, and diagnostic form instructions; ability to use good judgment and remain calm in high-stress situations and take on role of "leader".

Must have the ability to read road maps; drive vehicle, accurately discern street signs and address numbers, read medication/prescription labels and directions for usage in quick, accurate, and expedient manner, ability to communicate verbally with patients and significant others in diverse cultural and age groups to interview patient, family members, and bystanders, and ability to discern deviations/changes in eye/skin coloration due to patient's condition and to the treatment given. Must be able to document, in writing, all relevant information in prescribed format in light of legal ramifications of such; ability to converse with dispatcher and EMS providers via phone or radio as to status of patient.

Must have good manual dexterity with ability to perform all tasks related to advanced emergency patient care and documentation. Must have the ability to bend, stoop, balance, and crawl on uneven terrain; and the ability to withstand varied environmental conditions such as extreme heat, cold, and moisture. Ability to perform quickly, precise, practical mathematical calculations pertinent to ratio and proportion of medication and supplies used in emergency patient care. Must be independent, confident, able to work independently without defined structure, have good stable reasoning ability with ability to draw valid conclusions expediently relevant to patient's condition, often, using limited information. Must have knowledge and skills relevant to position and be able to implement them in stressful situations. Must be cognizant of all legal, ethical, and moral obligations inherent within scope of practice.

Must be able to perform mathematical calculations/ratios and apply them in expedient, practical manner. Must be independent, confident, able to work independently without structure, have good stable reasoning ability and able to draw valid conclusions quickly relevant to patient's condition, often, using limited information. Must have knowledge and skills relevant to position and be able to implement them in practical fashion in stressful situations. Must be cognizant of all legal, ethical, and moral obligations inherent within scope of practice.

Must have successful completion of approved curriculum with achievement of passing scores on written and practical certification examinations as defined by programmatic guidelines. Re-certification is dependent upon an individual's successful completion of inter-agency approved Paramedic continuing education fresher courses. At any given time, performs any or all tasks performed by a lower level EMT. May supervise activities of students or interns, and/or may engage in writing of journal articles or teach.

College Special Needs Program

The Special Needs office provides accommodations for students with a documented disability. The staff serves as the liaison between the Cowley College faculty and the staff and the student population. The program also helps with compliance with ADA guidelines.

A student who meets one or more of these definitions is eligible for service:

A physical or mental impairment that substantially limits one or more of the major life activities.

A record of such an impairment.

Being regarded as having such an impairment.

Program Purpose

The Special Needs program, in accordance with section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1990, is committed to improving access to educational opportunities and providing reasonable accommodations for students with disabilities that limit their life.

The Special Needs program serves students who have the following disabilities:

visual impairment

physical impairment

hearing impairment

speech impairment

specific learning disabilities

HIV/AIDS

cerebral palsy

traumatic brain injury

respiratory problems

seizure disorders

substance abuse

ADD/ADHD

other identified and documented disabilities

Possible Accommodations:

Books on Tape

Note Takers

Tape Recorders

Readers

Mobility Guides

Interpreters (deaf or hard of hearing)

Transcribers

Tape Recorded Exams

Oral Exams

Oral Test Taking Time

Extra Test Taking Time

Coordination with Instructor

For additional information on the Disability Services Program, contact the Coordinator at (620) 441-5557 (or use this toll-free number: (800) 593 2222) or visit online.

Criminal Background Checks for Paramedic Students
Paramedic students must complete a Criminal Background check prior to starting any clinical or field rotations. For more information on background checks, click here.

Notice of Non-Discrimination

Cowley is committed to a policy of non-discrimination involving equal access to education and employment opportunity to all regardless of sex, race, age, religion, color, national origin, disability or veteran status. The administration further extends its commitment to fulfilling and implementing the federal, state and local laws and regulations as specified in Title IX, Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act and the Americans with Disabilities Act. If you desire special needs or support services, contact the ADA Coordinator at (800) 593-2222 .